Pro-Russian Rebels Parade Captured Ukrainian Soldiers in Donetsk

Pro-Russian rebels paraded captured Ukrainian soldiers in the city of Donetsk in Eastern Ukraine Sunday as bystanders pelted them with eggs and tomatoes.

This public humiliation was held just hours after Ukraine celebrated its 23rd year of independence from the former Soviet Union and President Petro Poroshenko announced that the government will add $3billion worth of military equipment to fight the rebels.

The bedraggled soldiers were marched through the streets of Donetsk, the rebel-stronghold, flanked by bayonet carrying militants and with Russian national songs blaring, mocking the Ukraine national day, reports Fox News. Captured military Ukraine trucks were also on display in the main square

According to media reports, the crowd called them fascists and some even demanded that they be hanged. Two water tankers followed hosing down the road, symbolizing cleansing after the passing of the soldiers. The scenes were reminiscent of similar hundreds of public parading of defeated armies through history.

The rebel's top rebel commander said in a message to the Ukrainian government:

"Kiev said that on the 24th, on the Independence Day of Ukraine, they would have a parade. Indeed, they did march in Donetsk, although it wasn't a parade," Alexander Zakharchenko said. "Soldiers of the armed forces of Kiev walked along the main streets of Donetsk. What [President] Poroshenko planned has taken place," reports Fox News.

Ukraine's defense ministry spokesman told Ukraine's Interfax news agency, "The organisers of this disgusting event cannot be considered human, nothing is holy for them, " reports BBC.